What Is Colostrum, and Should You Be Taking It?
Primarily for newborns, colostrum is showing up in more and more supplements for adults.
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Colostrum is the first form of breast milk that’s released by mammary glands after birth. This thick and yellowish first milk is packed with nutrients including protein, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and immunoglobulins. It also contains high levels of antibodies to help build the immunity of a newborn who consumes it.
Though typically consumed exclusively by newborns, one of the latest health trends bubbling up is colostrum, from humans or cows (bovine colostrum), for adults. Usually offered in powdered form, colostrum is being touted as a dietary supplement to supposedly help improve immunity, fight infection and promote gut health. But is this latest trend all it’s cracked up to be? Here’s what the research is showing, and whether you should be taking it.
Although colostrum is beneficial for newborns, research doesn’t back up the same claims for adults. A 2021 published review study in Frontiers in Nutrition pinpointed several possible health benefits of taking powdered colostrum, including enhanced exercise performance and positive effects for people with certain gastrointestinal disorders (like ulcerative colitis), infection and traveler’s diarrhea. However, more research is needed.
Another 2021 published review in Nutrients concluded that there are conflicting results in pediatric populations and little evidence for use with older adults. The researchers recommended further studies to better understand the role of colostrum in the health of various populations like kids, adults and older adults.
With a lack of scientific evidence, there is really no basis for taking colostrum supplements in any form. As with any supplement, it can also get very costly and the same overall nutrients can be consumed through a well-balanced eating plan filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low and nonfat milk and dairy foods, lean proteins and healthy fats.
For the general population, the supplement has been reported to be well tolerated, meaning most people don’t experience side effects from taking it. However, colostrum supplements are contraindicated in people allergic to milk and dairy, and aren’t recommended for people who are pregnant and breastfeeding. It’s recommended to always check with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t thoroughly regulate dietary supplements. Although many supplements do carry third-party verifications that may vouch for their quality, as of now, there aren’t any colostrum supplements we found that are third-party verified. However, of course, that could change.
Bottom Line: Current research doesn’t back up the need for colostrum in any supplemental form. Save your money on this expensive supplement and focus on eating a healthy, well-balanced diet instead.
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